Q&A with Blaine Harden

2012-04-29T20:00:10-04:00https://images.c-span.org/Files/b69/305366-m.jpgBlaine Harden discussed his historical narrative Escape From Camp 14: One Man’s Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West. The book tells the story of Shin Dong-hyuk, who was born in captivity at North Korea prison camp 14 and escaped in 2005. Mr. Harden said he was the only individual actually born in a labor camp to escape. Shin escaped through an electrified fence by climbing over a dead companion’s body. Mr. Harden explained that Camp 14 holds approximately 15,000 prisoners and is the toughest of North Korea’s six camps due to the brutal working conditions and vigilance of the guards. He related Shin’s witnessing the execution of his mother and brother. Harden detailed Shin’s adjustment to society and civilization, and their meeting for a newspaper story. Blaine Harden currently reports for PBS Frontline and contributes to The Economist. He was a Washington Post and New York Times correspondent, and a writer for Time Magazine.

Blaine Harden discussed his historical narrative Escape From Camp 14: One Man’s Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West. The book tells the story of Shin Dong-hyuk, who was born in captivity at North Korea prison camp 14 and escaped in 2005. Mr. Harden said he was the only individual actually born in a labor camp to escape. Shin escaped through an electrified fence by climbing over a dead companion’s body. Mr. Harden explained that Camp 14 holds approximately 15,000 prisoners and is the toughest of North Korea’s six camps due to the brutal working conditions and vigilance of the guards. He related Shin’s witnessing the execution of his mother and brother. Harden detailed Shin’s adjustment to society and civilization, and their meeting for a newspaper story.